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Melvin and Howard (1980)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
19 September 1980 (USA) moreTagline:
A true story? morePlot:
The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 4 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Producer Ned Tanen Dead At 77 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 6 January 2009, 1:31 AM, PST)
Jason Robards Dies
(From WENN. 28 December 2000)
User Comments:
Best Film of the 80's moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jason Robards | ... | Howard Hughes | |
| Paul Le Mat | ... | Melvin Dummar | |
| Elizabeth Cheshire | ... | Darcy Dummar | |
| Mary Steenburgen | ... | Lynda Dummar | |
| Chip Taylor | ... | Clark Taylor | |
| Melvin E. Dummar | ... | Bus Depot Counterman | |
| Michael J. Pollard | ... | Little Red | |
| Denise Galik | ... | Lucy | |
| Gene Borkan | ... | Go-Go Club Owner #1 | |
| Lesley Margret Burton | ... | Go-Go Dancer | |
| Wendy Lee Couch | ... | Go-Go Dancer | |
| Marguerite Baierski | ... | Go-Go Dancer | |
| Janice King | ... | Go-Go Dancer | |
| Deborah Ann Klein | ... | Go-Go Dancer | |
| Theodora Thomas | ... | Go-Go Dancer |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
95 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
StereoCertification:
Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-12 | USA:R | West Germany:12Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Herbie Faye's final movie. moreGoofs:
Continuity: While the men are in the truck talking, a sandwich being eaten has the bite area alternately changing from one side of the bread between shots. moreMovie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Glenn Close/Black Crowes (#18.9)" (1992) moreSoundtrack:
Fortunate Son moreFAQ
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Everyone thinks Raging Bull is the best film of the 1980's, but Melvin and Howard holds up better for me. Paul Le Mat should have been nominated for an Oscar, and this film should have made him a star. It's such a waste that Le Mat isn't used in more films.
At least Mary Steenburgen's excellent performance didn't go unnoticed -- she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Bo Goldman's cleverly constructed, highly nuanced script won another Oscar.
Director Jonathan Demme went on to greater success and acclaim with Silence of the Lambs, but he achieved something special with Melvin and Howard. Most directors would play Melvin Dummar's story for easy laughs, and while Demme finds humor in the material, he also explores with depth and sensitivity how the American Dream has failed some of its most ardent aspirants.